How to Treat Frostbite

Frostbite occurs when the skin is exposed to cold temperatures for a long time. The most common parts to get frostbite are fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks, and chin; In severe cases, the affected area may need to be amputated. ^{[1] X Source of Research} Most frostbite affects only the skin layer (frozen skin), however in severe cases, dead tissue spreads deep down and requires delicate handling . Frostbite requires careful medical attention to limit damage and minimize the risk of further damage.

Table of Contents

Determine the severity

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Identify skin frostbite. Frostbite is not the same as frostbite, but it can lead to frostbite. Ice crystals form on the surface of the skin without entering the tissues as in the case of frostbite. Blood vessels in the skin constrict, causing the skin to turn pale or red. ^{[2] X Source of Study} You may experience numbness, tingling, or a tingling sensation in the affected area. However, the skin still responds normally without severe numbness when you press down, while maintaining its natural texture. Symptoms should go away when the skin is rewarmed. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Frostbite can affect children more quickly than adults. Frostbite usually affects the ends of the body such as the ears, nose, fingers, toes, and cheekbones. ^{[4] X Research Sources}
Frostbite is a sign that the weather conditions are enough to cause frostbite with prolonged exposure. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

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Identify superficial frostbite. Although there may not be a “shallow” feeling, it is called a superficial frostbit because the damage in this case can be repaired. This condition is more serious than frostbite, which presents as numbness, white or yellowish gray skin with red, painful or stinging, slightly hard or swollen spots. ^{[6] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}^{[7] X Research Source}

Superficial frostbite is less likely to lose tissue. Some people with superficial frostbite may develop fluid-filled blisters within 24 hours. These blisters usually appear at the tips of the lesion but do not cause tissue loss. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

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Identify severe frostbite. Severe frostbite is the most dangerous form of frostbite. In the case of severe frostbite, the skin becomes pale, unusually thick and hard, and numb/losing sensation in the affected area. In some severe frostbites, blisters appear on the skin, there may be blood inside, or there are signs of gangrene (grey/black dead skin). ^{[9] X Research Source}

The most severe form of frostbite spreads deep into muscles and bones and can kill skin and tissues. The risk of tissue loss in this case is very high. ^{[10] X Research Source}

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Get out of the cold and seek treatment as soon as possible. If you can get to the hospital or emergency room within two hours , you should not treat frostbite yourself. If you can’t get out of the cold, don’t try to re-warm the area if it’s in danger of freezing again. The freeze-thaw cycle then freezes and thaws causes more damage than sustained freezing. ^{[11] X Research Source}^{[12] X Research Source}

If you cannot access medical care within two hours, you can start self-treatment. All three cases – frostbite, superficial frostbite, and severe frostbite – had the same basic treatment for “field treatment” (far from the hospital). ^{[13] X Research Source}

Warm the injured area

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Begin to warm the damaged skin. As soon as you notice a cold burn on your body (usually on your fingers, toes, ears, and nose), you should take steps to warm up those parts. Clip fingers/hands under armpits, and place dry gloved hands over face, toes or other affected areas to warm. Remove clothing if wet, as wet clothing will prevent the body from raising its temperature. ^{[14] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

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Take pain relievers if necessary. If you have a shallow or severe frostbite, the skin-warming process can be painful. To prevent further damage, take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen. However, do not take aspirin because it can take a long time for your body to heal. ^{[15] X Research Source} Use according to the dosage instructions on the box.

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Warm the frostbitten area by soaking in warm water. Fill a basin or bowl with warm water with a temperature of about 40-42 degrees Celsius. A water temperature of 40.5 degrees Celsius is considered ideal. ^{[16] X Source of Study} Do not exceed above as higher temperatures may burn and blister the skin. If available, you should mix some antibacterial soap in the water to prevent infection. Soak the damaged skin for about 15-30 minutes. ^{[17] X Research Source}

If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test the water’s warmth by submerging an uninjured area of skin, such as your hand or elbow, in water. The water should be very warm, but within a tolerable range. ^{[18] X Research Source} Cool down if water is too hot. ^{[19] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}
If possible, using circulating water will be better than still water. ^{[20] X Research Source} Jacuzzi tubs are ideal, but running water works just as well.
Do not let the affected area touch the edge of the bowl or basin. This can cause damage to the skin. ^{[21] X Research Source}
Warm the skin for no less than 15-30 minutes. Once the skin has thawed, you may experience severe pain. However, it is important to continue warming the skin until it is completely thawed. If you stop warming too soon, you may end up hurting more. ^{[22] X Research Source}
In the case of severe frostbite, you may need to warm the area for up to an hour. ^{[23] X Research Sources}

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Do not use dry heat sources such as stoves, heaters or hot packs. ^{[24] X Research Sources} These heat sources are difficult to control and do not provide the gradual warming needed to treat frostbite, furthermore can cause burns. ^{[25] X Trusted Source Princeton University Go to Source}

Remember that the frostbitten area will be numb, and you won’t be able to measure the temperature. Dry heat sources cannot be precisely controlled. ^{[26] X Research Sources}

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Pay attention to the cold burn area. When the area has warmed up on its own, you may experience a crawling or burning sensation. The damaged skin will turn pink or red, often blotchy, and return to normal texture/feel. ^{[27] X Source of Study} The skin should be free of swelling or blistering. Those symptoms signal more damage and need immediate medical attention. In addition, if the skin does not change after soaking in warm water for several minutes, there is probably a serious injury that needs to be treated by a doctor. ^{[28] X Research Sources}

Take pictures of the affected area if possible. This will help your doctor monitor your condition and see if the wound is improving with treatment. ^{[29] X Research Sources}

Specialized treatment

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Continue medical treatment. The doctor will have different treatment for frostbite, depending on the severity of the frostbite. Hydrotherapy is the most common treatment, however extremely severe cases require surgery. ^{[35] X Source of Study} If you have severe frostbite, your doctor may limit the area to be amputated, but this decision is only made after 1-3 months, once the extent of tissue damage has been determined. . ^{[36] X Research Source}

The doctor will make sure to properly rewarm and evaluate for “non-survivable tissues,” or tissues that are not able to heal. Once your treatment is complete and you’re ready to leave the hospital or the emergency room, your doctor will bandage the area and guide you through the precautions you need to take as you recover. This can vary depending on the severity of the frostbite.
If you have severe frostbite, your doctor may recommend a referral to the burn department for treatment. ^{[37] X Research Source}
You will need to be seen again in 1-2 days after leaving the hospital or emergency room for moderate to severe frostbite. ^{[38] X Research Source} Very serious cases require follow-up in 10 days to 2-3 weeks. ^{[39] X Research Sources}

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Talk to your doctor about care after treatment. Frostbite damages the skin, leading to more damage as it begins to heal. You may experience pain and inflammation during your recovery. ^{[40] X Research Source} You need to get plenty of rest and talk to your doctor about the following:

Apply aloe. Studies show that pure aloe vera cream applied to damaged skin can help prevent further skin damage and help tissue heal. ^{[41] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}^{[42] X Research Source}
Take care of blisters. The skin may swell as you recover. Do not poke or break these blisters. Ask your doctor how to treat blisters until they burst on their own.
Pain control. Your doctor may prescribe ibuprofen to help reduce pain and inflammation. You need to take the medicine as directed. ^{[43] X Research Sources}^{[44] X Research Sources}
Prevent infection. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics, especially in severe cases. ^{[45] X Research Source} It is important to take the correct course of treatment as prescribed by your doctor.
How to move. If you have frostbite on your feet or toes, you should avoid walking on your feet while you wait for the wound to heal. Walking on the frostbitten area can cause further injury. Talk to your doctor about using a wheelchair or other options.

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Protect the affected area from the cold. To ensure full wound healing and prevent further damage, you need to avoid exposing the wound to cold temperatures for 6-12 months.

To prevent future frostbite, limit your time outdoors in extreme cold, especially when it’s windy or wet.

Advice

If you have hypothermia, you must treat it first. Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in body temperature. This condition can be fatal, so it should always be addressed before dealing with frostbite.
Prevention of frostbite:
- Use fingerless gloves instead of regular gloves.
- Wear multiple layers of thin clothing instead of one or two layers of thick clothing.
- Keep clothing dry, especially socks and gloves.
- Be sure to wrap your baby in several layers and every hour to bring them home to rewarm. Young children are more susceptible to frostbite because they lose heat faster than adults.
- Make sure shoes/boots are not too tight.
- Wear a hat or ski mask that can protect your nose and ears.
- Find shelter during a big storm.

Warning

Once cold burns on the extremities have been rewarmed, it is essential that they do not refreeze. Re-freezing can lead to irreversible damage.
Do not warm the affected area with a direct dry heat source such as a fire (of any kind), a hot water bottle, or a hot pack, as you will not feel the heat. Damaged skin will easily burn.
Numb hands will not feel the heat in the water, so you need to have someone else test the water to avoid burns.
Do not smoke or drink alcohol while recovering; both of which impede blood circulation.
Do not use frostbitten skin once it has been rewarmed until it is completely healed. If you don’t, you could get worse. ^{[46] X Trusted Source Princeton University Go to Source}
Children are affected by the cold faster than adults. Watch children when they are outside in cold weather. ^{[47] X Research Source}
In extremely cold weather, frostbite can happen in as little as 5 minutes. ^{[48]X Research Source}

Things you need

Warm water
Antibacterial soap
Analgesic
Shelter

Steps